Search

Geminal bisphosphonates display varied biological activity depending on the nature of the substituents on the central carbon atom. For example, the nitrogenous bisphosphonates zoledronate and risedronate inhibit the enzyme farnesyl diphosphate synthase while digeranyl bisphosphonate has been shown to inhibit the enzyme geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase. We now have synthesized isoprenoid bisphosphonates where an aromatic ring has been used to replace one of the isoprenoid olefins in an isoprenoid bisphosphonate and investigated the ability of these new compounds to impair protein geranylgeranylation within cells. Several of these new compounds are potent inhibitors of the enzyme geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is the most common genetic disease affecting the nervous system. Patients typically develop many tumors over their lifetime, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. The NF1 gene, mutated in NF1, is also commonly mutated in sporadic glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Because both NF1 and GBM are currently incurable, new therapeutic approaches are clearly needed. Natural products represent an opportunity to develop new therapies, as they have been evolutionarily selected to play targeted roles in organisms. Schweinfurthin A is a prenylated stilbene natural product that has previously shown specific inhibitory activity against brain and hematopoietic tumor lines. We show that patient-derived GBM and NF1 malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) lines, as well as tumor lines derived from the Nf1−/+;Trp53−/+ (NPcis) mouse model of astrocytoma and MPNST are highly sensitive to inhibition by schweinfurthin A and its synthetic analogs. In contrast, primary mouse astrocytes are resistant to the growth inhibitory effects of schweinfurthin A, suggesting that schweinfurthin A may act specifically on tumor cells. Stable transfection of the GTPase-activating protein related domain of Nf1 into Nf1−/−;Trp53−/− astrocytoma cells confers resistance to schweinfurthin A. In addition, the profound effect of schweinfurthin A on dynamic reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton led us to discover that schweinfurthin A inhibits growth factor–stimulated Rho signaling. In summary, we have identified a class of small molecules that specifically inhibit growth of cells from both central and peripheral nervous system tumors and seem to act on NF1-deficient cells through cytoskeletal reorganization correlating to changes in Rho signaling. Mol Cancer Ther; 9(5); 1234–43. ©2010 AACR.

The first total synthesis of (+)-schweinfurthin B, a potent and differentially active cytotoxic agent, has been accomplished. Completion of the synthesis required just 16 steps in the longest linear sequence from commercially available vanillin. Key synthetic transformations included a Shi epoxidation and an efficient cascade cyclization initiated by treatment of the resulting epoxide with BF(3).OEt(2). Furthermore, use of a methyl ether as a stable protecting group for benzylic alcohols dramatically increased the efficiency of the overall sequence. The benzylic ether can be removed from this electron-rich aromatic system through oxidation with DDQ that provided the desired aldehyde intermediate in quantitative yield and shortened the synthetic sequence. Introduction of the A-ring diol in the required cis stereochemistry then became viable through a short sequence highlighted by an aldol condensation with benzaldehyde to introduce an olefin as a latent carbonyl group at the C-3 position. This synthesis established for the first time the absolute stereochemistry of the natural product, and provides access to material on a scale that will advance biological studies. The total synthesis of the closely related compound (+)-schweinfurthin E also is reported.

The cis-fused hexahydroxanthene system can be obtained through a cascade cyclization initiated by Lewis acid-mediated epoxide opening and terminated by reaction with a MOM-protected phenol. Only a single diastereomer of the product was obtained with stereochemistry verified by diffraction analysis. This demonstrates the viability of this approach to natural products containing the cis-fused hexahydroxanthene skeleton, and supports preparation of more complex targets through a similar strategy.

Inhibitors of isoprenoid biosynthesis are widely used to treat human disease including statins and nitrogenous bisphosphonates. Due to the importance of core human isoprenoid biosynthesis for diverse cellular processes related to cancer cell growth and metastasis, inhibition of this pathway may produce beneficial anticancer consequences. For example, ras oncogenes are well known; ras proteins are overexpressed in many human cancers, and these proteins must be isoprenylated to function. The rho proteins are important for regulating cell motility, and also must be isoprenylated. This has drawn significant attention to inhibitors of protein prenyl transferases. In addition to the reactions that are targeted in current clinical applications, there are other enzymes that have not been studied as extensively. Inhibition of these enzymes, from mevalonate kinase to geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase, could be attractive as a single agent therapy or in combination with current agents for treatment of cancers in which isoprenylated proteins have been implicated. While detailed in vivo data for many of these putative targets is lacking, there have been several breakthroughs in recent years that could facilitate further studies. In particular, compounds that specifically inhibit some of the downstream isoprenoid biosynthesis enzymes have been developed and their effects in cancer models are emerging. This review will discuss current knowledge of these lesser known isoprenoid pathway enzymes, identify trends in the development of their small molecule inhibitors, and describe the applications and effects of these compounds in cancer models.

Pawhuskin A is an isoprenylated stilbene that was isolated from Dalea purpurea and reported to have affinity for the opioid receptor in vitro. It has been synthesized through a convergent sequence that joins a prenylated aldehyde with a geranylated phosphonate in a stereoselective Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons condensation to afford the target E olefin isomer. This synthesis confirms the structure assigned to the natural product and establishes a route that may be used to explore its biological activity and to prepare more active analogues.

Hypericum perforatum (Hp) has been used medicinally to treat a variety of conditions including mild-to-moderate depression. Recently, several anti-inflammatory activities of Hp have been reported. An ethanol extract of Hp was fractionated with the guidance of an anti-inflammatory bioassay (lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced prostaglandin E 2 production (PGE 2 )), and four constituents were identified. When combined together at concentrations detected in the Hp fraction to make a 4 component system, these constituents (0.1 μM chlorogenic acid (compound 1 ), 0.08 μM amentoflavone (compound 2 ), 0.07 μM quercetin (compound 3 ), and 0.03 μM pseudohypericin (compound 4 )) explained the majority of the activity of the fraction when activated by light, but only partially explained the activity of this Hp fraction in dark conditions. One of the constituents, light-activated pseudohypericin, was necessary, but not sufficient to explain the reduction in LPS-induced PGE 2 of the 4 component system. The Hp fraction and the 4 component system inhibited lipoxygenase and cytosolic phospholipase A 2 , two enzymes in the PGE 2 -mediated inflammatory response. The 4 component system inhibited the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and the Hp fraction inhibited the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10). Thus, the Hp fraction and selected constituents from this fraction showed evidence of blocking pro-inflammatory mediators but not enhancing inflammation-suppressing mediators.

Use of a Shi epoxidation for introduction of chirality in a key epoxide intermediate, together with revised protecting group tactics, has allowed an efficient synthesis of the hexahydroxanthene subunit common to the natural schweinfurthin F and the synthetic analogue 3-deoxyschweinfurthin B.

Geminal bisphosphonates can be used for a variety of purposes in human disease including reduction of bone resorption in osteoporosis, treatment of fractures associated with malignancies of the prostate, breast, and lung, and direct anticancer activity against bone marrow derived malignancies. Previous research led to identification of some novel isoprenoid bisphosphonates that inhibit geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) synthesis and diminish protein geranylgeranylation. Described here is the synthesis of fluorescent anthranilate analogues of the most active isoprenoid bisphosphonates and examine their ability to impact post-translational processing of the small GTPases Ras, Rap1a, and Rab6. Similar to their non-fluorescent counterparts, some of these fluorescent isoprenoid bisphosphonates diminish protein geranylgeranylation. Their biological activity and fluorescent character suggest that they may be useful in studies of bisphosphonate localization both in cultured cells and in whole organisms.

Total synthesis of the (R,R,R)- and (S,S,S)-enantiomers of the natural product schweinfurthin F has been completed. Comparisons of spectral data and optical rotations with those reported for the natural product, as well as a variety of bioassay data, allow assignment of the natural material as the (R,R,R)-isomer.

The N-oxide derivatives of [2-(3-pyridinyl)-1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-phosphonocarboxylic acid (or PEHPC) and [2-(3-pyridinyl)-1-ethylidene-1,1-phosphonocarboxylic acid (or PEPC) have been prepared and evaluated for their activity against several enzymes which utilize isoprenoids. The parent pyridines are known inhibitors of GGTase II, but the N-oxide derivatives show no improvement in biological activity in assays with the isolated enzyme. However, the PEHPC N-oxide did induce significant accumulation of intracellular light chain in myeloma cells, consistent with inhibition of Rab geranylgeranylation.

A substantial portion of metabolism involves transformation of phosphate esters, including pathways leading to nucleotides and oligonucleotides, carbohydrates, isoprenoids and steroids, and phosphorylated proteins. Because the natural substrates bear one or more negative charges, drugs that target these enzymes generally must be charged as well, but small charged molecules can have difficulty traversing the cell membrane by means other than endocytosis. The resulting dichotomy has stimulated a great deal of effort to develop effective prodrugs, compounds that carry little or no charge to enable them to transit biological membranes, but able to release the parent drug once inside the target cell. This chapter presents recent studies on advances in prodrug forms, along with representative examples of their application to marketed and developmental drugs.

The synthesis and biological evaluation of several enantioenriched schweinfurthin B analogs were undertaken to develop structure-activity relationships and guide design of probes for their putative molecular target. The desired stilbenes contain a common left-half hexahydroxanthene ring system and an aromatic right-half with varied substituents. The synthesis involves penultimate Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons coupling of one of several right-half phosphonates with the aldehyde comprising the left-half of 3-deoxyschweinfurthin B. Preparation of the requisite phosphonates, and the respective stilbenes, as well as the cytotoxicity profiles of these new compounds in the National Cancer Institute's 60 cell-line anticancer screen is described. Several of these analogs displayed cytotoxicity patterns well-correlated with the natural product and differences in activity of approximately 10(3) across the various cell lines. Together, these assay results indicate the importance of at least one free phenol group on the aromatic D-ring of this system for differential cytotoxicity.

Cycloadditions of phosphate dienes and quinones can be used to generate aromatic phosphates. Diethyl 3-methoxy-1-methylene-2-propenyl phosphate shows reactivity, stability, and regioselectivity comparable to the corresponding silyloxy diene. Because the phosphate ester in the product originates in the diene, cycloadditions with quinones will place this ester regiospecifically in the B-ring and allow facile distinction between the B- and A-ring oxygens of the cycloadduct.

Arieianal (1) is a complex prenylated benzoic acid that was isolated from Piper arieianum. It has been synthesized through a convergent sequence that joins a functionalized diterpenoid chain to a protected aromatic core. Key steps include use of a copper enolate for selective displacement of an allylic bromide in the presence of an allylic acetate and a stereoselective Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons condensation to afford the desired E olefin of the isoprenoid side chain. After the diterpenoid chain was joined to the aromatic ring, use of sodium metal in hot sBuOH allowed selective cleavage of two benzyl ether protecting groups, and a sequence of oxidations gave the target compound. This synthesis confirms the structure assigned to the natural product and establishes a route that may be used to prepare more active analogues.

The copper-mediated displacement of allylic THP ethers by Grignard reagents has been examined in a system that contains a geminal bisphosphonate ester. With Grignard reagents derived from several aromatic halides or benzyl bromide the displacement proceeds in attractive yields, but more mixed results were obtained from reactions with alkyl halides. In addition to its role as a nucleophile, the Grignard reagent also appears to deprotonate the bisphosphonate to generate an anionic intermediate. Formation of this anion appears to limit competitive nucleophilic attack at the phosphonate group and provides an intermediate that can be trapped by reaction with an electrophilic reagent such as methyl iodide to access a more substituted system.

Benzyl ethers have proven to be useful protecting groups for synthesis of phenols bearing isoprenoid chains because the benzyl groups can tolerate the conditions of halogen–metal exchange used to introduce the side chains yet are cleaved in good yields upon treatment with sodium s-butanol.

The total synthesis of the opioid modulator pawhuskin C has been accomplished in eight steps from methyl 3,5-dihydroxybenzoate. The key step in this sequence is a directed ortho metalation reaction conducted without protection of a benzylic alcohol and thus presumed to involve a formal dianion intermediate.

Synthesis of nonracemic 3-deoxyschweinfurthin B has been accomplished through a synthetic sequence including a key cascade cyclization of an epoxy olefin. The intermediate epoxide could be prepared as a single enantiomer through an AD-mix-alpha (or AD-mix-beta) oxidation, and the stereochemistry of the epoxide has been shown to control formation of the two additional stereogenic centers created through the cyclization. Synthetic 3-deoxyschweinfurthin B was found to have potent differential activity in the National Cancer Institute's 60 cell line anticancer assay. This represents the first synthesis of the tetracyclic schweinfurthin skeleton, validating our overall synthetic strategy and providing the first schweinfurthin analogue with activity slightly greater than those of the natural products.

The EDC-mediated condensation of 1-chloro-5-hydrazino-9,10-anthracenedione afforded an N-1 acyl anthrapyrazole instead of the expected hydrazide. The regiochemistry of the N-acyl substituent was assigned on the basis of an extensive set of NMR experiments, and identification of this isomer suggests a reaction sequence based on initial acylation and subsequent cyclization. In contrast, the parallel reaction of 1-hydrazino-9,10-anthracenedione proceeded to afford the expected hydrazide.

Several trialkyl and two triaryl phosphites have been tested for their reactivity in the zinc iodide mediated conversion of benzyl alcohol to the corresponding phosphonates. Most react smoothly to afford the desired phosphonate diesters, including hindered and nonracemic phosphites. The implications of this reactivity on the reactions involved in the transformation are discussed.

alpha-Phosphono lactone derivatives of the nucleosides cytidine and cytosine arabinoside have been prepared from the corresponding nucleoside aldehydes. The stereochemical outcome of allylation reactions with these aldehydes was found to be dependent upon both the choice of protecting groups for the 2'- and 3'-hydroxyl groups and, to some extent, the nature of the Lewis acid catalyst employed. Ultimately, conditions were found that favored either the 5'R or 5'S diastereomer from different cytidine aldehydes, and gave some stereoselectivity in additions to an aldehyde derivative of ara-C. The resulting homoallylic alcohols were used as substrates in attempted Knovenagel and Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons condensations, but elimination was found to predominate over lactone formation under the conditions employed. The desired alpha-phosphono lactones could be prepared through a reaction sequence that included ring-closing metathesis on acrylate esters of the homoallylic alcohols, followed by reduction of the resulting alpha,beta-unsaturated lactones and carbon-phosphorus bond formation on enolates generated from the saturated lactones.

The 5'-amino-5'-phosphono derivatives of cytidine, cytosine arabinoside (ara-C), and uridine have been prepared via the corresponding nucleoside aldehydes. Phosphite addition to imines derived from the nucleoside aldehydes and p-methoxybenzylamine was efficient, and use of this amine allowed cleavage of the products to the parent amino phosphonic acids. The phosphite additions proved to be diastereoselective, with the cytidine and uridine derivatives favoring the 5'S stereochemistry and the ara-C derivative favoring the 5'R isomer. The stereochemistry of one cytidine derivative was established by single-crystal diffraction analysis, and detailed comparisons of the (13)C NMR data allowed assignments of the other amino phosphonates.

The isoprenoids farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) are synthetic precursors for numerous molecules essential for cellular function as well as substrates in isoprenylation reactions. We have previously demonstrated that depletion of mevalonate results in the upregulation of Ras-related proteins which can be prevented by FPP or GGPP, independent of restoration of protein isoprenylation. To better define the regulatory properties of isoprenoid pyrophosphates, we have investigated the abilities of isoprenoid analogues to regulate the expression of the Ras-related proteins. Farnesyl phosphonic acids potentiate the upregulation of these proteins induced by mevalonate depletion independent of inhibitory activity against farnesyl protein transferase, geranylgeranyl protein transferase I, FPP synthase, or GGPP synthase. The potentiation of RhoB upregulation is at both the mRNA and protein level. The ability of these analogues to serve as functional antagonists of the isoprenoid pyrophosphates is dependent on the nature of the functional group at the head of the molecule, the charge of the molecule, and the length of the isoprenoid chain. Metabolites and additional analogues of isoprenoid pyrophosphates were found to possess agonist properties relative to FPP and GGPP. Interestingly, the structurally related retinoids all-trans-retinoic acid and 9-cis-retinoic acid also display slight agonist properties. These studies provide evidence for direct roles of FPP and GGPP in regulating transcriptional and post-transcriptional events.

Treatment of several carbonyl compounds with excess strong base and diethyl phosphorochloridite results in formation of two carbonphosphorus bonds at the α carbon. Oxidation of the immediate product with H2O2 affords the corresponding α,α-bisphosphonate in moderate to very good yields.

An alpha-phosphono lactone derivative of farnesol has been prepared, in both racemic and nonracemic forms, to provide a new type of farnesyl pyrophosphate analogue. Attempted preparation of the racemic alpha-phosphono lactone through rearrangement of a vinyl phosphate derived from the parent lactone resulted in both rearrangement and lactone ring opening, revealing that the farnesyl lactone was not stable to the excess of strong base required for the rearrangement. A procedure for C-P bond formation based on generation of the lactone enolate, reaction with a P(III) reagent, and oxidation was successful in providing the racemic alpha-phosphono lactone, in part, because only 1 equiv of strong base was required. The same strategy for phosphonate synthesis then was applied to the nonracemic farnesyl lactone, prepared through a sequence including allylation of farnesal with a nonracemic borane reagent, reaction of the product alcohol with acryloyl chloride, and formation of an unsaturated lactone through ring-closing metathesis. A similar strategy gave the corresponding racemic alpha-phosphono lactam through a six-step sequence from farnesal.

Phosphonate derivatives of cytidine and cytosine arabinoside have been prepared from the corresponding nucleoside aldehydes and tested for their ability to serve as substrates for nucleotide monophosphate kinase and for their toxicity to K562 leukemia cells.

Catalytic hydrogenation of azido sugars has been conducted in the presence of different aldehydes to bring about a tandem reduction–reductive alkylation sequence. The reaction sequence proceeds in generally high yields, and tolerates some benzyl and benzylidene protecting groups that are sensitive to hydrogenolysis.

Tetrahydrofuran Triethyl phosphite Benzyl alcohol Diethyl benzylphosphonate 2 Keywords: Benzylic alcohols; Allylic alcohols; Diethyl phosphonates; Allylic phosphonates

The isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway (IBP) provides substrates, such as geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGDP), which are used to post-translationally modify proteins that are key regulators of malignant cell properties such as proliferation, migration, and invasion. Clinically relevant IBP inhibitors, including statins and nitrogenous bisphosphonates, affect these malignant cell properties. However, they broadly deplete all mevalonate derivatives, thus affecting farnesylated proteins and cholesterol. XZ-1-269 and XZ-4-37 were developed as selective inhibitors of GGDP synthase to reduce protein GGation. In the androgen-dependent prostate cancer (PCa) cell line LNCaP and the highly metastatic androgen-independent PCa cell line PC3, lovastatin and XZ-1-269 more potently reduce protein GGation and cell viability than digeranyl bisphosphonate, XZ-4-37, and zoledronate. In the androgen-independent PCa cell line 22Rv1, all compounds are less potent in reducing protein GGation and cell viability than in LNCaP and PC3 ...

To gain access to prenylated hexahydroxanthenes, tandem cascade cyclization–electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions have been studied on substrates bearing allylic and propargylic substituents. Both BF 3 ·OEt 2 and TMSOTf can be used to initiate this reaction sequence, resulting in different ratios of the C-2 and C-6 substitution products. Even though allylic transposition is observed in some cases, the results of a crossover experiment are consistent with an intramolecular reaction sequence. Taken together, these studies now allow preparation of either the C-2 or C-6 prenylated hexahydroxanthene products.

As part of a program to explore the biological activity of analogues of the natural schweinfurthins, a set of compounds has been prepared where an indole system can be viewed as a substitution for the resorcinol substructure of the schweinfurthin’s D-ring. Twelve of these schweinfurthin indoles have been prepared and evaluated in the 60 cell line screen of the National Cancer Institute. While a range of activity has been observed, it is now clear that schweinfurthin indoles can demonstrate the intriguing pattern of activity associated with the natural stilbenes. In the best cases, these indole analogues display both potency and differential activity across the various cell lines comparable to the best resorcinol analogues.

In contrast to T cells that express the more prevalent αβ T cell receptor and respond to peptide antigens, T cells that express the Vγ9Vδ2 T cell receptor detect and respond to non-peptide phosphorous-containing small molecules known as phosphoantigens. Because γδ T cells are early responders to infections and malignancies, it has been suggested that stimulation of their activity with small molecule phosphoantigen drugs may hold promise for therapeutic interventions. Recent studies have greatly advanced our knowledge of phosphoantigens as well as their cellular receptors. At the same time, clinical trials of phosphoantigens have suggested that development of these Vγ9Vδ2 T cell agonists has met unexpected challenges. In this commentary, we summarize the biology that underlies phosphoantigen activity and discuss the structural features of synthetic phosphoantigens that affect both their ability to stimulate Vγ9Vδ2 T cells and their potential as therapeutic agents.

A series of acrylate esters was prepared by treatment of representative terpenoid aldehydes with allyl or vinyl magnesium bromide followed by reaction with acryloyl chloride. In all cases, ring-closing metathesis (RCM) resulted in regioselective formation of unsaturated lactones through metathesis of the acrylate and terminal olefins. After condensation of farnesal with a primary amine, a parallel series of reactions led to formation of the corresponding lactam.

Nonracemic amino alcohols derived from common amino acids have been used to assemble acyclic nucleoside and nucleotide analogues with control of absolute stereochemistry. Both ( R )- and ( S )-2-amino-1-propanol, readily available from d - or l -alanine, were used to prepare the nucleoside analogues ( R )- and ( S )-9-[1-methyl-2-hydroxyethyl]adenine, and then the nucleotide analogues ( R )- and ( S )-9-[1-methyl-2-phosphonomethoxyethyl]adenine. In a similar fashion, the CBz derivative of l -threonine was used to prepare first (1 R ,2 R )-9-[1-hydroxymethyl-2-hydroxypropyl]adenine, and then the bis phosphonomethoxy derivative. The bis phosphonate derived from threonine represents a unique structural hybrid of PMEA and PMPA, both of which have well established antiviral activity.

The absence of viral receptors is a major barrier to efficient gene transfer in many cells. To overcome this barrier, we developed an artificial receptor based on expression of a novel sugar. We fed cells an unnatural monosaccharide, a modified mannosamine that replaced the acetyl group with a levulinate group (ManLev). ManLev was metabolized and incorporated into cell-surface glycoconjugates. The synthetic sugar decorated the cell surface with a unique ketone group that served as a foundation on which we built an adenovirus receptor by covalently binding biotin hydrazide to the ketone. The artificial receptor enhanced adenoviral vector binding and gene transfer to cells that are relatively resistant to adenovirus infection. These data are the first to suggest the feasibility of a strategy that improves the efficiency of gene transfer by using the biosynthetic machinery of the cell to engineer novel sugars on the cell surface.

The synthesis of a family of farnesol analogues, incorporating aromatic rings, has been achieved in high yields through the development of a regioselective coupling of allylic tetrahydropyranyl ethers with organometallic reagents. The allylic THP group is displaced readily by Grignard reagents in the presence of Cu(I) halides but is stable in the absence of added copper. Thus, an allylic THP group can fulfill its traditional role as a protecting group or serve as a leaving group depending on reaction conditions. An improved synthesis of (2E,6E)-10,11-dihydrofarnesol also has been accomplished using this methodology, and some preliminary studies on the reactivity and regioselectivity of THP ether displacements were conducted. The farnesol analogues reported herein may be useful probes of the importance of nonbonding interactions in enzymatic recognition of the farnesyl chain and allow development of more potent competitive inhibitors of enzymes such as farnesyl protein transferase.

Several strategies for synthesis of nonracemic dimethyl α-(hydroxyfarnesyl)phosphonate and the parent phosphonic acid have been explored. Separation of diastereomeric derivatives prepared by esterification of racemic α-hydroxy phosphonate with (S)-(+)-O-methylmandelic acid was possible, and these diastereomers could be assigned absolute stereochemistry on the basis of literature precedent. However, hydrolysis to the α-hydroxy phosphonic acid was accompanied by extensive isomerization. Addition of a nonracemic phosphonamidite to farnesal also gave nonracemic material, but again hydrolysis was problematic. Oxidation of dimethyl farnesylphosphonate anion with nonracemic (camphorsulfonyl)oxaziridines was shown to be regio- and stereoselective for formation of the α-hydroxy phosphonate. Enantiomeric excess of ∼70% ee was established by conversion of the oxidation products to their (S)-(+)-O-methylmandelate derivatives. Although hydrolysis of these methyl esters was accompanied by extensive racemization, both e...

Nucleophilic addition to the carbonyl group of β-keto phosphonates has been studied with several Grignard reagents. Allyl magnesium halides have proven particularly effective.

Reduction of a (bisphenyl)dithioacetal with sodium/isopropyl alcohol in THF allows preparation of (2 E ,6 E )-10,11 -dihydrofarnesol in high yield.

The Horner−Wadsworth−Emmons condensation of some α-phosphono lactones has been examined for conditions that impact product stereochemistry. The temperature employed to quench the reaction was found...

Investigation of leaves from the shrub Rapanea myricoides led to the isolation of two diprenylated benzoic acids. One was the known compound 5-carboxy-7-(3‘‘,3‘‘-dimethylallyl)-2-(1‘-hydroxy-1‘,5‘-dimethylhex-4‘-enyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran (1), while the other was assigned as the new diol 2 (3-(2‘,3‘-dihydroxy-3‘,7‘-dimethyloct-6‘-enyl)-4-hydroxy-5-(3‘‘,3‘‘-dimethylallyl)benzoic acid, myricoidiol). These compounds were initially characterized through analysis of their spectroscopic data and comparison with some simpler synthetic analogues led to the final structure assignment for diol 2.

A Cu(I)-mediated reaction of aromatic Grignard reagents with allylic tetrahydropyranyl ethers results in formation of the coupled products in good yields. This methodology allows facile synthetic manipulation of compounds with two reactive allylic positions.

This investigation compares the effects of three farnesyl pyrophosphate analogs on selected aspects of isoprenoid metabolism. E,E-alpha-Hydroxyfarnesylphosphonate was prepared by an improved variation on a literature synthesis, which also gave access to the new Z,E-alpha-hydroxyfarnesyl- and alpha-hydroxygeranylphosphonates. A striking find is that only E,E-alpha-hydroxyfarnesylphosphonate induces alteration of RAS processing in intact human-derived leukemia cells and inhibits farnesyl protein transferase in enzyme assays, while the Z,E-alpha-farnesyl- and geranylphosphonates are inactive. The inhibitory activity of E,E-alpha-hydroxyfarnesylphosphonate is greater in enzyme than intact cell assays. This active compound does not significantly inhibit geranylgeranyl protein transferase I or squalene synthase, nor does it diminish cholesterol synthesis. These results indicate that the length of the terpenoid chain and olefin stereochemistry allow selective inhibition of critical enzymes of terpenoid metabolism. Discrimination was observed between inhibition of farnesyl protein transferase and squalene synthase by E,E-alpha-hydroxyfarnesylphosphonate, even though both enzymes utilize farnesyl pyrophosphate as their natural substrate.

Reaction of phosphonate anions with enantiomerically pure (camphorsulfonyl)oxaziridines results in formation of nonracemic α-hydroxy phosphonates. This enantioselective hydroxylation methodology provides convenient access to optically active α-hydroxy phosphonates and their corresponding phosphonic acids.

An interest in the schweinfurthins, natural stilbenes with significant anti-proliferative activity, has prompted efforts to prepare a set of indole analogues. To approach the desired compounds through a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmonds condensation, new indole derivatives bearing a phosphonomethyl substituent in the B-ring were required. The parent indole system with the necessary substitution pattern was obtained through a Stobbe condensation and cyclization. A prenyl substituent was incorporated at the C-3 position of a 4,6-disubstituted indole through a highly regioselective electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction, while metalation and alkylation provided the C-2 prenylated indole. After introduction of the phosphonate group through classical reactions, the new indole phosphonates were found to undergo the desired condensation with nonracemic aldehydes representing the schweinfurthin left half. This approach gives facile access to new heteroaromatic analogues of the natural schweinfurthins, and should be applicable to many other natural stilbenes as well.